Life resources and personal goals in old age

Milla Saajanaho (), Merja Rantakokko, Erja Portegijs, Timo Törmäkangas, Johanna Eronen, Li-Tang Tsai, Marja Jylhä and Taina Rantanen
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Milla Saajanaho: University of Jyvaskyla
Merja Rantakokko: University of Jyvaskyla
Erja Portegijs: University of Jyvaskyla
Timo Törmäkangas: University of Jyvaskyla
Johanna Eronen: University of Jyvaskyla
Li-Tang Tsai: University of Jyvaskyla
Marja Jylhä: University of Tampere
Taina Rantanen: University of Jyvaskyla

European Journal of Ageing, 2016, vol. 13, issue 3, No 1, 195-208

Abstract: Abstract It has been theorized that life resources influence goal engagement. The aim of the present study was to examine whether personal characteristics, and socio-economic, social and health resources are associated with personal goal content in old age. The participants were 824 community-dwelling people aged 75–90 from the Life-Space Mobility in Old Age project. Personal goals were elicited using a revised version of the Personal Project Analysis in a structured interview. Cross-sectional bi- and multivariate analyses using logistic regression modelling were conducted. The results showed that the most commonly reported goals were health maintenance related. People with better health resources were more likely to report goals related to leisure-time, social and physical activities and less likely to report goals related to recovery of health. Those with poor social resources were at risk for having no personal goals in their lives. The results are in line with theorizing on the influence of life resources on goal setting in old age. Further longitudinal studies are needed on whether resource loss precedes goal modification, and how goal setting strategies influence both mental and physical well-being in old age.

Keywords: Personal goals; Ageing; Life-span development; Life resources; Health; Functioning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10433-016-0382-3

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